🔹Crystal Russell

"Welcome home!" We were greeted by Lily with a wide smile and a hug as we came back home from Bali. Martin followed us inside and kept our luggage in our room and took his leave while Lily was so excited to hear what happened in Bali. She asked us to freshen up and get some rest while she prepared the lunch.

As I entered the room, my hands flew in the air and I stretched my body before Adrien's arms slid around my stomach and I rested my back against his body. "I missed home." I mumbled lazily.

"Me too." Adrien said and pressed a kiss on my jaw, making me smile.

"Do you want to shower first or should I?" I asked him, angling my neck to look at him. He ducked his head and nibbed on my neck, making me inhale a sharp breath.

"Or we could save time and water and shower together." My eyes widened at that and I shrugged him away from me. "Not happening." I said and tried moving away but he held my wrist in a strong grip.

"Oh, Come on, Crys." Adrien smirked. "No." I shook my head sternly but he didn't plan on listening.

"It's gonna be just bathing. I promise. Let's go." With that, he pulled me inside the bathroom. We were quick to undress and jump into the shower.

Adrien's hands first tangled into my hair playing with them, then went down my body, slowly and sensually. Goosebumps arose on my body under his touch while my hands were caressing his shoulders and neck. We were drawn towards each other and our lips met in a sweet and passionate kiss. When my lips started to feel numb after kissing for god knows how long, I had to pull away but Adrien wasn't done. He leaned in, kissing my jaw, my neck and my collar bone.

Within the next minute, I was pushed against the wall and Adrien's lips trailed down my body from my breast to my stomach. When I felt his head between my legs, I moaned and took his hair in my fist tightly.

'Just bathing', my foot!

🔹️

"Crystal." Lily called. We had finished having our lunch and were sitting together in the living room, telling Lily about Bali. She handed me a small cuboidal velvet box and I looked at her with a confused frown.

"Evan had asked me to give this to you while you were gone." She said. I glanced at the box, then at Adrien. His eyes were on me as he looked equally as curious as me.

I opened the box and my breath was stuck in my throat. It was the necklace Evan said he had brought for me on the day of his club event while he drunk-confessed his love for me. I realized that I hadn't seen him since that day. Under the necklace was a folded sheet of paper. My heart beat rapidly as I took it out and unfolded it after keeping the box on the table in front of me. Adrien's eyes fell on the necklace and something flashed through his eyes but he said nothing.

"Hey Crystal. I'm sorry about leaving without saying goodbye to you and leaving just a letter. I just wanted to go somewhere far away where the shadows of my love would not reach your married life. I know I was supposed to be your friend and doing this wouldn't be the best idea but if my presence makes things hard for you, Crystal, I think it's better if I leave. Besides, I won't lie to you, it hurts to remain as your friend. And I don't want to ruin our bond and your relationship with Adrien by rubbing my one-sided love in your or your husband's face. I'm going to Australia, planning to come up with some new clubs and bars so wish me luck.About your job, it's up to you if you'd like to continue or not. No pressure.

And lastly, you don't have to feel guilty about anything. I'll move on before you'll even know. Just tell your husband he's still on the list of people I dislike and you... don't miss me too much :)

Wishing you all the happiness,

Evan"

A tear slid down my face while I giggled reading the end of the letter. Putting it away, I put my face in my hands. I hated him for leaving. He was my best friend, how could he?

I felt some shuffling beside me as I cried in my hands. A moment later, Adrien pulled me in a hug and caressed my head and back. "He's an idiot. He left." I mumbled against his shoulder. I assumed Adrien had read the letter while hugging me.

"I know the pain of losing a friend, Crys. But you know that whatever he did was out of pure intentions and you can always hope for his return." I nodded as he wiped my tears.

I'll bring you back, Evan.

I put the necklace in my closet and Adrien brought a big tub of ice cream for me to eat while watching a movie to lighten our mood. We sat on the couch together, me leaning on Adrien while he held the tub of ice cream and we both ate from it. The movie played in front of us but I wasn't paying attention to it. My mind was filled with other things.

"What are you thinking so much about?" Adrien whispered in my ear and pulled me out of my trance. I sat straight up and sighed heavily.

"About my job." I said. He paused the movie and gave all his attention to me. "I don't think I'm going to work with Vida Grand anymore. If Evan had been here, I might have continued but since he's not, there's no point." I told him my concerns.

"What do you have in mind then?"Adrien asked.

"I don't know– get a job in another organization." I said.

He thought for a moment then said, "Or maybe you could start your own organization."

I looked at me for a whole good minute, blankly. "That's a great idea but having a start up requires a lot of capital. I'll have to rent an office, hire employees. Where will I get the money for all of that?"

"I've had an idea in my mind for some time now. I was thinking.." He cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "..Our company would sponsor your start-up and deal with the funds. And in return, when everything is good to go, you can sign a deal with us and organize every single party or event that happens at The Russells."

I comprehended the idea for some time. Starting an organization by myself was a big step and I didn't know if it was a safe idea.

"It does sound good... but I need some time to think about it." I told him. He smiled and grabbed my hand.

"I understand. Take your time. Setting up a business isn't a piece of cake. Just know that whatever you do, I'm by your side." I beamed at him and pecked his lips.

"I love you." I said, throwing my arms around his neck. Pulling me into him, he whispered back. "I love you too."

It was later that evening when Adrien and I had decided to prepare the dinner, Adrien's parents showed up at the door.

After a very long time, the family had gathered for a meal and I felt content. For real, this time. Adrien along with Mr. Russell had volunteered to cook for us ladies tonight while Mrs. Russell and I had our session of happy talk, something I used to do with my mother years ago.

Surprisingly, the food was a lot better than I had expected, considering how Adrien had never toasted a bread. There was no doubt Mr. Russell had done most of the work.

"So, how was your trip?" Mr. Russell asked while munching on his capsicum.

"It was brilliant, Dad. Mr. Olsen doesn't want to wait before he signs the contract with us. His resort is a beautiful place. You should go with Mom sometime." Adrien said.

"I will. What does this retired man have to do anyway? I'm going to relax for the rest of my life with my wife." The old man said with a content smile. "Adrien, I'm proud of you. And I'm sure you'll put in just the amount of effort to keep the company going like I had done to set it up." He patted Adrien's back.

"'The Russell's' will remain the best, Dad. It's a promise." Adrien determined.

"Good. How about you, Crystal? Did you have fun? Or was this boy busy with work all day?" I beamed at Mr. Russell and denied his accusation towards Adrien with unnecessary excitememt.

"I had the best time of my life." I said.

He smiled at me and looked down in his plate, as if contemplating to say something. "You guys look no less than a real couple anymore." He didn't meet our eyes. Adrien and I glanced at each other.

I looked at Mrs. Russell who seemed to be lost, gazing at her food. Her eyes showed something I had felt too many times. Longing. As if she wished we were a real couple.

Adrien broke the awkward silence that took place when he said, "About that, Mom, Dad," He looked at me and gave a charming smile that I returned. After making sure they had our attention, we said together, "We love each other."

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